Lily Williams powered to an impressive seventh place in a fast-paced bunch sprint at Gent-Wevelgem, outpacing top sprinters to cap off a strong day for the team in Belgium.
The American Olympic champion scored her second WorldTour top-ten of 2025 at the end of the 168.9 km race from Ypres to Wevelgem, won by Lorena Wiebes (Team SD – Worx Protime).
“This feels super good,” the 30-year-old said at the finish. “I think my form has been high, but the cards haven’t fallen our way just yet. I’ve been positive and patient, and this feels like a real reward.”
Williams raced well over the two ascents of the Kemmelberg cobbled climb, staying in contention alongside Romy Kasper in a reduced group after the second passage.
“I would have preferred to go to the line with our small group,” Williams explained. “I was already really pleased to be in that selection the second time over the Kemmel. Everyone put me exactly where I asked, points on the course where I struggled in the past I was in great position which completely changes this race. I was able to use my form instead of just fighting at the back of the bunch.”
The group swelled during the run-in to the line with the team and Williams placing themselves in contention in the finale, even though it was a large bunch taking it to the line.
“In the end, it was a positioning sprint, and the team put me where I needed to be in the last kilometer to hold on for a good result,” she said. “I’m thankful for them, everyone was on fire today.”
Katia Ragusa also had a starring role in the race, a pivotal part of the early breakaway that escaped on the roads out of Ypres.
“It was really good to be in that breakaway because we planned it this way,” Ragusa said. “I was hoping it would survive for a little longer.”
Ragusa’s role then changed when the break was pulled back, and along with Romy Kasper, Giada Borghesi, and Marit Raaijmakers, she rode well to position Williams for the Kemmelberg climb.
“I helped to position Lily for the Baneberg, which was a crucial point,” she explained. “I’m proud of our teamwork today. We showed that we raced well as a team and were committed to our plan. We got together again in the finale and gave everything we had left in the tank.”
Williams echoed this sentiment.
“The level of women’s cycling now requires everyone in the team to be firing at 100%, and today we had that,” says Williams. “It shows what we can do when we have a good day, and I’m so happy for everyone.”
Gent-Wevelgem result
1 WIEBES Lorena – Team SD – Worx Protime 4:11:19
2 BALSAMO Elisa – Lidl – Trek ”
3 KOOL Charlotte – Team Picnic PostNL ”
4 VAN ‘T GELOOF Marjolein – Arkéa – B&B Hotels Women ”
5 CONSONNI Chiara – CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto ”
6 GILLESPIE Lara – UAE Team ADQ ”
7 WILLIAMS Lily – Human Powered Health ”
8 WOLLASTON Ally – FDJ – SUEZ ”
9 VERHULST-WILD Gladys – AG Insurance – Soudal Team ”
10 RYSZ Kaja – Roland ”
Photos: GettySport
